Western and central Bhutan · 10 nights
Western and central Bhutan
East over the passes to the valleys where Bhutan began.
Overview
Beyond Punakha the road climbs to the glacial bowl of Phobjikha, winds along the Mangde gorge to Trongsa, and crosses into Bumthang, the spiritual heartland where the oldest temples stand among buckwheat fields. This is the journey for travellers who want the whole arc of the country, with time in each valley to let it settle.
Day by day
11 days, loosely held.
Every day can bend. This is the shape we would start from.
Met at the aircraft steps, you follow the river to the capital in a little over an hour. The afternoon is for walking, the weekend market if it is open, and a first bowl of ema datshi.
Stay: Thimphu Boutique House · placeholder name
The Buddha Dordenma, the Memorial Chorten and the quiet workshops of the Institute for Zorig Chusum, where students learn the thirteen traditional arts. Tashichho Dzong late in the day, when the light slants across the courtyard. Dress for the dzong: long sleeves, long trousers, no hats.
Stay: Thimphu Boutique House · placeholder name
The 108 chortens at Dochula, the Himalaya on the horizon if the morning is kind, and the long descent to the warm valley. Chimi Lhakhang after lunch, reached by a path through rice fields and a village with lively painted walls.
Stay: Punakha River Lodge · placeholder name
The most beautiful fortress in Bhutan, seen first from the far bank and then from inside its three courtyards. Walk the suspension bridge and climb to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten through terraces that are green in spring and gold in autumn. An afternoon on the river, or on a cushion beside it.
Stay: Punakha River Lodge · placeholder name
The road leaves the rice behind and climbs through oak and rhododendron to Pele La country, then turns into the wide marsh bowl of Phobjikha at 3,000 m. Gangtey Goemba stands on its spur above the valley, and in winter the black-necked cranes circle it three times before landing, or so the valley says.
Stay: Gangtey Farmhouse · placeholder name
A morning on the Gangtey nature trail, two unhurried hours through meadow and pine. Then east over Pele La and along the Mangde Chhu to Trongsa, whose dzong appears across the gorge a full hour before you reach it. Trongsa is the ancestral seat of the royal family, and every king has been its governor first.
Stay: Trongsa Hillside Hotel · placeholder name
Trongsa Dzong steps down its ridge in a maze of courtyards and passages, and the Ta Dzong watchtower above it tells the story of the monarchy. After lunch the road crosses Yotong La into the four valleys of Bumthang, arriving in Jakar as the woodsmoke rises.
Stay: Bumthang Heritage Farmhouse · placeholder name
Jambay Lhakhang from the seventh century, Kurjey where Guru Rinpoche left the print of his body in the rock, and Tamshing with its ancient murals. Everything is within a short walk or drive of each other along the Chamkhar Chhu. Dinner is cooked over the farmhouse stove.
Stay: Bumthang Heritage Farmhouse · placeholder name
A day in the quieter Tang valley, visiting the burning lake of Membartsho and the manor of Ogyen Choling, whose family museum shows how a noble household lived. Buckwheat pancakes for lunch, and a last Bumthang evening.
Stay: Bumthang Heritage Farmhouse · placeholder name
When the domestic schedule allows, a short flight carries you from Bumthang to Paro along the spine of the Himalaya; otherwise we break the long drive west with a night in Punakha and add a day. The afternoon in Paro is kept gentle: Kyichu Lhakhang and the covered bridge below Rinpung Dzong.
Stay: Paro Valley Lodge · placeholder name
For those with an afternoon flight, an early walk to the Taktsang viewpoint before the airport. Your guide sees you to the door.
Inclusions
What is in the price, and what is not.
Included
- Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) for every night in Bhutan, the per-person-per-night fee that funds free healthcare, education and conservation and keeps the kingdom high value, low volume. Verify against https://www.bhutan.travel before launch.
- Bhutan visa fee and visa processing, arranged by our Bhutanese partner operator. Verify against https://www.bhutan.travel before launch.
- Licensed Bhutanese guide throughout, required for all travel outside Thimphu and Paro and, in our view, the best reason to come.
- Private driver and private vehicle for the whole journey, from the airport steps to the airport steps.
- All meals in Bhutan: breakfast, lunch and dinner, from lodge dining rooms to farmhouse kitchens.
- All monument, museum and dzong entry fees.
- Accommodation as described, with upgrades available at every tier.
- Airport transfers in Paro and all transfers between valleys.
- Your dedicated Dzong House specialist, from the first message to the day you fly home.
- Domestic flight Bumthang to Paro when it operates, otherwise the drive west with an additional night in Punakha.
Not included
- International flights to and from Paro (we book them for you at cost; Paro is Bhutan's only international airport).
- Travel insurance, which we require for every traveller.
- Alcoholic and soft drinks beyond water, tea and coffee at meals.
- Tips for your guide, driver and lodge staff (we will suggest a range).
- Personal items, laundry and anything of a purely personal nature.
Pricing
Per person, sharing, all-in.
Every figure below includes the Sustainable Development Fee (100 USD per adult per night) and the 40 USD visa fee. Fees verified as of 2026-10-14.
Comfort
From $4,250
per person · 10 nights · SDF included · visa fee included
Warm three-star hotels, private guide and driver, all meals. SDF and visa fee included.
Premium
From $7,400
per person · 10 nights · SDF included · visa fee included
Boutique hotels and heritage lodges, upgraded dining, private experiences. SDF and visa fee included.
Ultra luxury
From $15,400
per person · 10 nights · SDF included · visa fee included
The finest lodges in every valley, helicopter transfers where useful. SDF and visa fee included.
Prices shown in your selected currency are approximate conversions from USD. Children and Indian nationals pay a different SDF; we adjust the quote accordingly. Verify fees at https://www.bhutan.travel.
Route
Where the road goes.
Map placeholder
Paro → Thimphu → Punakha → Phobjikha & Gangtey → Trongsa → Bumthang
An interactive route map (Mapbox / Google Maps) slots in here.
Stays on this journey
Where you will sleep.
Placeholder names until partner agreements are signed.
Begin
Begin the Western and central Bhutan.
Tell us when and who. We reply with a first sketch within two working days.